My Favorite Things: Jesus

Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

Monday, April 10, 2017

Thank You Jesus

They seem to be popping up everywhere in my neck of the woods.

In fact, this one literally is in my neck of the woods...a.k.a my front yard.

I first heard the story (through one ear as I was preparing dinner) on our local news channel one evening,

saying to myself what a nice thing it was for this young man to do.

I didn't think much more about it until I started noticing these cheery, bright yellow signs.
Before long, they started showing up on front lawns all over the place.

This one is in my next door neighbor's yard.
~
I copied the link from our local news station's interview with him and you can read it here.
What started out as just the placement of a few homemade signs,
has become a nation wide Thank You Jesus Movement.
What a dedicated and inspiring young man Lucas is!

~
Like I mentioned, whenever I am out and about I see the signs everywhere.
Over the weekend, I took my camera with the zoom lens to see how many I could snap.
There were many more than I could actually capture due to obstacles and such,
but here are just a few.

(mine again)

I actually purchased my sign at one of our local Living Free Ministries Thrift Store.
The stores are a part of a wonderful ministry for the restoration of drug and alcohol addicted men.
They sell the signs for $2 more than the website does and the extra $$ helps to support the ministry.
Any one who knows me probably also knows that a ministry such as this is very close to my heart.
And I thank Jesus every day for what He has done and is doing in Aaron's life!

Easter is the perfect time of the year to thank Jesus for what He's done for us.
If it wasn't for Him dying on that cruel cross, we wouldn't even have a savior to thank, period.
Here's a song I hope you enjoy, simply titled "Thank You Jesus".

As I reflect on this Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday,

I pray that I never take for granted, not for one single moment, that Jesus gave His life for me.
THANK YOU JESUS!

I am taking this opportunity to wish you all a most blessed Easter week.
Company's a comin' and I've got tons to do before their arrival Thursday evening.
If I don't get around to visit, I'll catch up as I can :)

Hugs,

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Give Me Jesus

This is an edited and re-titled version of an early post, shortly after I started my blog.

I actually had to go back and re-read it because I needed the message for myself.

The past few days have been pretty emotionally draining for me...

...a little family drama.

But God is good and He's already working on it!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

Morning. Even before the sun makes it's way above the horizon and shows it's face...

...it is my favorite time of the day.

It's the only time of the day when everything is new.

A fresh start.
A new beginning.

How many times have you gone to bed with a heavy burden on your heart?

Maybe even cried yourself to sleep?

Your world seems to be crashing in around you and the answers you need just don't come.

You pray for peace.

You awaken when it's still dark...
...just the way it was when you finally were able to restlessly drift off...

...with the tears on your pillow.

But there's just something about the morning.

Somehow, something seems different.

Somehow, even though you know that the burden is still there,

it doesn't seem quite as heavy.

Something has changed.

Your spirit seems brighter...your countenance, more peaceful.

There seems to be hope now.

What happened while you were sleeping?
How did things change during the night?

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Jesus came to you while you were sleeping.
That is what happened.

Sharing here:

Living from Glory to Glory
Sharing His Beauty
Grace at Home
Spiritual Sundays

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

source

I had an experience today I'll not soon forget.

The hubby and I went to see a movie...

...not just any movie

We went to see "God's Not Dead".

(click on link for preview)

Never have I worshiped in a movie theater...

...until today.

I don't want to give anything away for those of you who haven't seen it.

I am still reeling from it actually.

I have that drained feeling...or you may call it spent...

...you know, like how you feel after you have cried a million tears.

Tears of sadness, yet tears of joy.

How blessed I am at this very moment...

...believing with every fiber of my being that there is a God who loves me.

That He will never leave me...or forsake me.

My heart breaks for those who choose not to believe.

Please join me in praying for those lost souls.

Many of them, we don't know...some of them, we do.

The Lord is not slow to keep his promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it.

He is patient with you. He doesn't want anyone to be destroyed.

Instead, he wants all people to turn away from their sins. ~2 Peter 3:9

So, if you haven't yet seen this movie, I highly recommend it.

You will laugh. You will cry (a lot). You will worship.

Love to all,

Sharing with:

Spiritual Sundays
Sharing His Beauty

Saturday, April 26, 2014

An Impending Storm

"I can hear your whisper and distant mutter.

I can smell the damp on the breeze and in the sky I see the halo of your violence.

Storm, I know you are coming." ~ Robert Fanny

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Yesterday when I was out and about, right before a thunder storm,

I turned down a road I hadn't intended to so I found the closest driveway to turn around in.

The view before me nearly took my breath away.

The bright green foliage of the new growth on the trees seemed to be glowing like neon...

...like someone had turned on a light switch.

The sky was almost navy blue in the darkest place and the sun was still shining...
...creating this fantastic contrast.

The greens were at their greenest, in every shade on the color wheel.

After I got home and was able to see the photos on my computer screen,

I couldn't help but be reminded about the storms that we all face in our lives.

Just like the wind, sometimes they just blow in out of nowhere it seems.

Sometimes they are predicted...but many times they aren't.

Sometimes you can sense them...you can almost feel them in the air.

There is no doubt... they are coming.

Storms are imminent.

God even told us this would happen.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
~John 16:33

And if you're like me, you'd probably say you've had more than your share...
...whatever that means.
I wonder what actually is our share?

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
~Psalm 27:5

So here's something else that came to mind...
...if it hadn't been for that ominous, dark blue stormy sky,
the leaves on the trees and the grass wouldn't have appeared so bright and beautiful,
and I would have missed the blessing of seeing it (let alone the photo-op!) :)

It was only because the sun was still shining on them.

Not unlike the thunderstorm, the SON will shine on us when we are facing dark skies,
and He will bring back the brightness once again...that is, until next time.
God wants us to keep trusting and praising Him in the midst of those storms!
We are being made stronger for weathering them!
I don't understand it...but I believe it.

Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.
~Psalm 28:6-7

We are supposed to have a stormy week ahead here in central North Carolina.
I heard somewhere that April showers bring May flowers :)

But more and more, by His grace and mercy,
I am learning what I need to do during my own frequent storms.
I pray that you are doing the same!

Have a week full of Sonshine...whether it's raining or not!

Blessings,

Sharing here:

Spiritual Sundays
Living from Glory to Glory
Amaze Me Monday
Sharing His Beauty
Share Your Cup

Grace At Home
Anything Blue Friday
The Weekend Brew

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Every hour I need You...

There's a song that is playing in my head.

It's been there since last Sunday morning when I first sang it with our worship team.

The message couldn't be simpler....or more powerful.

Click on the video below if you'd like to hear it...

...or maybe even sing along.

"Lord, I Need You"

~Chris Tomlin

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

**********

I can't think of a song I'd rather have stuck in my head.

I want this to be my theme song.

Because I never want to stop needing my Jesus...

...every day, every hour, every minute, every second.

Blessings,

Sharing here:

Spiritual Sundays
How Sweet the Sound
Sharing His Beauty

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Resting in the Son

This is Oscar.

He loves lying around, resting in the sunshine.

He will find the smallest little rays of the warm, bright light...

...as it filters through the windows in the early part of the day.

He moves when the sun moves.

He finds his comfort resting in the the sun.

As for me, I find my comfort resting in the Son.

I found this old-hymn-made-new on YouTube.

It was written in way back in 1876 by Jean S. Pigott.

You may know it...I hadn't heard it before.

It speaks to my heart...and to where I find my rest...

...in the Son, Jesus.

Click on the play button to hear this beautiful old hymn, sung by Steve Green.

I think it will bless your heart too.

Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory, sunshine of my Father's face
Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with thy grace.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28

I hope you find your place of rest this week, my friends!
Blessings,

Sharing with:

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2014/02/welcome-back_21.html
http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/2014/02/making-art-for-his-glory.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2014/02/amaze-me-monday-47.html
http://whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-101-march-madness/#sthash.SJKLXkiq.dpbs
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/02/inspire-me-monday-week-112.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2014/02/porcelain-doll-tag-and-inspired-sunday.html

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Beautiful, Terrible Cross

This is a post from a little over a year ago.

I think it is quite fitting to re-post during this holy week...

...the story of the cross is ever fresh and new.

So I'm sharing this today on Stephanie's Roses of Inspiration link-up.

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

~Matthew 10:38

It stands high on a hill in the center of a cemetery.

I have lived here for nearly 22 years and had never seen it until a couple of weeks ago.

Like many of us do, I went out driving around looking for some beauty to uncover.

I was following the sunset in hopes of capturing it before it was gone.

In the direct path of the setting sun, I followed an unfamiliar road up a hill,
and into the entrance of a cemetery
where there was a paved, narrow road along it's circular perimeter.

As I followed it, I kept looking to my right, trying to get a glimpse of the waning sunset.

After a few minutes, I stopped my car and got out, still looking towards the west.

By then, the clouds that had been predicted had moved in and it was nearly dusk.

I had missed my opportunity.

I turned to get back in my car and it was at that moment that I noticed it.
It had been on the opposite side of where I had been looking the entire time...
...and as I turned around, there it stood, right in front of me.

From where I was standing, it didn't look that tall.

I started walking towards it and the closer I got, the taller it became.

It was at least 25 or 30 feet high by the time I reached the base.

It was a glorious but also sobering sight as I stood in awe of the huge stone cross,

looking up, with the then dark and cloudy sky swirling as a backdrop.

I was immediately reminded of what that day must have been like when Jesus was crucified.

It was a beautiful sight.

It was a terrible sight.

Beautiful, because of the sacrifice that was made all because God loves us so much—

our sins forgiven forever by this one moment in time.

Terrible, because of the pain and torture that Jesus, our Lord had to endure

to accomplish His Father's will.

Beautiful Terrible Cross

~by Selah

There is a beautiful terrible cross
Where though You committed no sin
Savior, You suffered the most wicked fate
On the cruelest creation of men

Yet on that beautiful terrible cross
You did what only You could
Turning that dark inspired evil of hell
Into our soul's greatest good

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross

There on that beautiful terrible cross
Though darkness was strong on that hill
You remained sovereign, Lord, still in control
As Your perfect plan was fulfilled

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross

Oh, we gained the riches of Heaven
Jesus, You paid the horrible cost
We stand forgiven and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross
For the beautiful terrible cross

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river

Beautiful cross
Terrible cross
Beautiful cross
Terrible cross

I went back to the cemetery last evening.
The sun was just beginning to set.

"...the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are saved it is the power of God."

~1 Corinthians 1:18

May your week be blessed, sweet friends.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

A Matter of Trust

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[a] the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38

Can you just imagine what it would have been like?

A young, unmarried virgin girl has been given this unimaginable news.

A visiting angel tells her that she has been chosen to give birth to the Son of God.

Really?

I mean, how does a young girl...how does anyone...even begin to wrap their brain around that?

I can't even imagine.

This little book is one of my favorite things.

Maybe you have seen it or maybe you have it too.

I get it out every year as I put out my Christmas decorations.

It was given to me back in 2005 from a sweet friend who was at the time, my Secret Pal at church.

The book tells the stories of Christmas taken from scripture but written in short story form—

based on what is known in scripture and then elaborated on a bit.

As I read through the first story, the theme is trust.

God trusted Mary, knowing that she would be the perfect mother to His Son.

Even though the scripture doesn't mention the word trust, it really is what it's all about.

Mary had to trust God more than she ever had to before.

She had to trust Him, first, to be able to accept this truth...

...that she was going to have the Son of God.

She had to trust Him to get her through the many obstacles that she and Joseph would face.

Mary trusted God completely...it's the way she lived her life.

That's why He chose her.

That's why He trusted her to raise His Son.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Gracie's Nativity

This was a post from two years ago.

I am sharing it again today on Stephanie's Roses of Inspiration.

I think it has been probably over twenty-five years since she first gave it to us as a family Christmas present. My husband's two sister's families received one as well. The gifts I am referring to were the hand-painted ceramic nativities that Gracie made for all of us that year. Gracie was my husband's sweet mother. Ever since she presented to us, it became a Christmas tradition that it was always the first decoration that went in it's place. When my boys were just little guys, they always helped unwrap and place the individual figurines carefully in the wooden manger. Once the nativity was all set up, it was on to decking the halls and trimming the tree.

I was totally in awe of the beautiful work and the many hours that Gracie put into making these nativities for her three children. The fine detail of the faces was far better than anything I could have done...and I prided myself as a pretty good artsy-crafty kinda girl! The set included all the regulars—right down to a couple of shepherds and their sheep...

...the shepherd boy...and a cow....

...the ever important donkey...

...the Three Wise Men...

(although we know they weren't actually there when Baby Jesus was a tiny infant)

...and their three camels...

...oh, and the angel hovering above...we can't forget the angel!

I raved and raved to Gracie about what a wonderful job she did on this. It never failed, she would pretty much blow off my compliment by saying something like "Oh, Debby, you could have done much better" or "Don't look too closely at it!" As hard as I tried to compliment her on her beautiful handy-work, she just couldn't accept my praise. Year after year whenever I would get it out and comment on it to her, it started to become more about her rejecting my compliment rather than me giving her one...so one day, I stopped.

Is it hard for you to accept a compliment? I have to admit that sometimes it is for me too. At times, I am guilty of saying things like Gracie did. I don't ever want to seem conceited and often I really don't know how to react to a certain compliment given to me. Sometimes, I think we get it confused with flattery. But how are we making the person giving the compliment feel when we don't accept it graciously? Not only are we rejecting their kindness, but we could also be making them feel just as uncomfortable by not receiving it with grace. I am learning that I am actually robbing the person giving the praise of a blessing. Accepting a compliment is not a sin...it is a form of encouragement.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Gracie has been with Jesus since 2001. She suffered from Alzheimer's the last few years of her life and when it finally robbed her completely of her spirited, witty personality along with the twinkle that was always in her eye, a fall resulting in a broken hip was all it took to take her out of this world and into the next. In a couple of short months she was gone.

I'm starting my Christmas decorating today and have been thinking a lot about Gracie as I was putting out the nativity. It's all carefully arranged, although I'm pretty sure that every year it's probably just a little different from the year before. One thing that remains constant, of course, is Jesus...He never changes. He wants us to praise Him and give Him compliments of all kinds.